Two more Blues players will continue their seasons, as forward Kevin Hayes and defenseman Matthew Kessel were named to the American team for the upcoming World Championship.
Hayes and Kessel will join Canadians Colton Parayko, Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer at the tournament, which is May 10-26 in Czechia. It is the last major men’s tournament before next year’s 4 Nation Face-Off in the spring.
Two ºüÀêÊÓƵ natives were also named to Team USA, as forwards Luke Kunin and Brady Tkachuk will play in the tournament.
Kessel will be representing his country for the first time in his career following his first extended look in the NHL. The 23-year-old born in Arizona but raised in Michigan played in 39 NHL games this season, primarily in a top-four role while averaging 16:48 of ice time per game.
Kessel had one goal and six assists in the NHL, and is expected to be a staple on defense for the Blues next season.
People are also reading…
Hayes, meanwhile, turned in a disappointing first season in ºüÀêÊÓƵ, as he tallied 13 goals and 16 assists. The 29 points were a career-low for Hayes, regardless of season length. Acquired from Philadelphia last summer, Hayes was supposed to fill a role as the third-line center, and he has two more seasons left at a $3.517 million cap hit.
Last year, Blues defenseman Scott Perunovich played for Team USA at Worlds.
Kyrou had 11 goals and eight assists in the final 16 games of the season, and he produced while the Blues were still trying to chase down a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Defenseman Colton Parayko, and goaltenders Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer will all represent their country in Czechia in the tournament that runs from May 10-26.
Comcast said it will credit customers' bills for the gap in coverage.